CHAPTER III.

EARLY IMPRESSIONS, CHARACTERISTICS AND TALENTS

OF THE BLIND GIRL.

WE

HEN the first shock of his severe affliction had somewhat subsided, Mr. Milton's attention was turned to his children. Little Mary, the elder, especially, was the subject of deepest solicitude. Born blind, and thus early deprived of a mother's care, he regarded her with more than paternal tenderness. He seemed to entertain the idea that her misfortunes were so great, that she should never be crossed if it were possible to avoid it; and that her infirmity rendered her quite helpless. She was therefore indulged in every wish, and not allowed to help, or rely on herself in the least. This might have proved a serious injury to her, but for the interposition of a kind Providence. Indeed, she endured many a bitter pang in after life, in consequence of the early undue cultivation of her over sensitive nature; which proved a source of constant trial, until overcome by Divine grace. But notwithstanding his earnest care for the physical comfort of his child Mr. M. did not forget that she had a soul to

be saved or lost; and therefore did not neglect to administer the wholesome correction, which like all children, she sometimes needed.

He also took great pains to instil into her young and tender mind, the principles of Christianity. She can remember, even now, that when a very small child, he would take her away alone and talk to her, in a most solemn and impressive manner, of the duty of loving GOD, and the great sinfulness of not doing so; telling her that if she did not think about GoD, it was sure proof that she did not love Him; and consequently was very wicked He also gave her to understand that in order to be good, she must experience a change of heart; and taught her, (in connection with these conversations,) this simple prayer: "O LORD, be pleased to forgive my sins, and give me a new heart and make me a good girl, for CHRIST's sake." This, together with Dr. Watts' familiar stanza, "Now I lay me," &c., she was in the habit of repeating nightly, for years. True, these repetitions may have become somewhat formal, yet she realized to a great extent the import of the words she uttered, and said her prayers with a degree of reverence and solemnity.

It is a great mistake to suppose, as many do, that children are unfit subjects for the operations of the Divine Spirit: as soon as they can understand what is said to them, their religious training should be commenced. The mind of the child is far more susceptible to impressions than that of the adult; and besides,

their simple, confiding nature enables them far more easily to acquire the lesson of faith in GOD, than in riper years. If, therefore, you would have your children saved, commence their instruction very early in life, praying for Divine wisdom to direct: see that your example corresponds with your precept, and be sure that, with the blessing of GOD, their conversion, sooner or later, will be the result. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." There may be exceptions, but this is the rule.

Mary possessed a tender conscience and a serious, thoughtful mind; and these lessons so faithfully given, and set home by the HOLY SPIRIT, made deep and lasting impressions thereon. Sometimes at the close of a long day spent in careless play, the query would suggest itself, Have I thought about GOD to-day? and when forced to answer in the negative, a deep, painful sense of wickedness stole over her, filling her with alarm. These were her first convictions of sin; and it is probable that conversion soon followed; though this was not so strongly marked as to admit of its precise date. Truthfulness was one of her most prominent characteristics; she had a great horror of telling a lie. Sometimes when sobbing and crying as if her little heart would break, in consequence of her father's correction, he would bid her be still, and ask when she would do so; she would reply, now; then he would remind her that if she did not instantly stop

crying she would tell a lie, and every sob would be hushed in an instant.

A hasty temper was one of the darkest features of her character: this sometimes led her to strike or pinch her little sister: but when called to give an account of her conduct, would never tell a falsehood or even equivocate, to screen herself from punishment.

She discovered a remarkable talent for music, at an almost incredibly early age; she commenced to talk when but nine months old; and even before she could utter a word, would hum a tune with astonishing accuracy. She, possessed a retentive memory, and took great pleasure in committing songs and hymns, which she sung greatly to the amusement of the family and neighbors.

She evinced from earliest childhood an intense thirst for learning. She attended the district school; and though unable to study a lesson, she was allowed to spell with the rest, and was often at the head of her class, spelling as if by intuition. She frequently received words of praise from visitors of the school, and rewards of merit from her teacher, which afforded her no little satisfaction. But her isolated condition, consequent upon her want of sight, together with her remarkable originality, rendered her manners somewhat awkward and eccentric. This might have proved detrimental to her subsequent usefulness but for a change in her circumstances.

CHAPTER IV.

INCIDENTS OF SCHOOL DAYS.

W

E now come to the eighth year of Mary's life Her father had married a sister of his first wife, who supplied the place of a kind and tender mother to his children. One Summer evening, a teacher from the institution for the blind, (then located at Pearl street, Boston,) called to see Mary, and presented her with two sheets of the blind print in raised letters; one containing the alphabet, and the other being the introductory page of an atlas. Mary was in ecstacies; and so eager was she to commence learning to read at once, that she insisted on doing so that night. To Mr. Milton, the idea of his little blind daughter's being educated in this manner, was new and seemed almost incredible. He placed her finger upon a letter, bidding her examine it closely then remove her finger and find the same again. After feeling the letter for some time in order to ascertain its shape, she withdrew her finger, and then replacing it upon the page, in a moment exclaimed with delight, here it is, Father. Mr. Milton fairly wept for joy. A new light